SURGING SEAS: The Future of Coastal Cruising

Ever wonder what your favorite coastal cruising ground is going to look like at the end of this century after the sea level has risen by 10 feet or so? If so, you'll have fun playing with the map tool at the Surging Seas website maintained by Climate Central. It allows you to fiddle with all of the U.S. coastline in the lower 48 and adjust the water level to anywhere between 1 to 10 feet above the current high-tide level. The remaining dry land is shown in white; formerly dry flooded areas are shown in grey-scale satellite imagery. The most vulnerable part of the country, of course, is southern Florida, where, coincidentally, they also have the most boats. As you can see in the image up top, the coastline is going to look very different.

The Miami area, it seems, will be the new Bahamas and should make a very interesting destination.

Only problem I see is that anchoring could be difficult, given the asphalt and concrete bottom. Also, there will be lots junk down there to foul an anchor on.

The next biggest change will be in southern Louisiana, where Baton Rouge will become the new New Orleans.

Of course, what's most interesting is finding out whether or not your own abode will be high and dry.

Needless to say, I'm relieved to see that my house, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on Pleasant Street (about where the "e" in "Pleasant" is), will have survived the inundation.